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We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with programs that feature great women who have made their mark on the world. Join us throughout March to learn more about these leading ladies and how they shaped history.

American Masters Margaret Mitchell – Monday, March 16 at 9 pm
No ordinary writer and no ordinary woman — “Gone with the Wind” created two of the world’s greatest lovers, Scarlett and Rhett, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1937 and has sold more than 30 million copies. Born into Atlanta’s upper crust in 1900, Margaret Mitchell challenged stifling social restrictions at every turn. A charismatic force to be reckoned with, she had a great sense of humor, was one of Georgia’s first newspaper women and was extremely generous with the money she made from “Gone with the Wind.” She struggled with the changing role of women and the liberation of African Americans but also suffered from lifelong bouts of depression, until a tragic accident lead to her death in 1949. This film examines the amazing endurance of “Gone with the Wind” and reveals the seminal events of Mitchell’s life through dramatic re-enactments based on her letters, as scenes from the movie weave together her life and her work.

Independent Lens Wonder Women! –Monday, March 16 at 10 pm
This program traces the evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman. From the birth of the comic book superheroine in the 1940s to the blockbusters of today, this film looks at how popular representations of powerful women often reflect society’s anxieties about women’s liberation.

We Served Too — Tuesday, March 17, at 10 pm
This is a story of a group of young, determined and courageous women during World War II who broke through barriers and shattered stereotypes … the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).

American Masters Judy Garland: By Myself — Friday, March 20 at 8 pm
Judy Garland had one of the most photographed faces ever to come out of Hollywood – it is stamped as a virtual imprint on our imaginations,a celluloid image frozen in time. She also had one of the most frequently recorded voices of the last century. She was magic, almost mythical. She is as iconic as she is misunderstood. There were her problems, to be sure, but the proof is in the performances, from The Wizard of Oz to the Palladium, from the Oscars to the Grammies. With singular entree to the MGM library, including vaulted screen tests and rehearsal footage, the film is wrapped in Judy’s voice, actually telling her story in her own words. So many outsiders have tried to tell this story and so many friends and family have weighed in – now Judy gets center stage, all to herself. This is her ultimate comeback.

American Masters Harper Lee: Hey Boo — Monday, March 23 at 10 pm
Reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been a national pastime for five decades — it is still selling nearly a million copies a year, its classic popularity and power are a common reference. And the courtroom image of Gregory Peck, as the passionate Atticus Finch, gave us an enduring picture for the novel’s message. Behind it all was a young Southern girl named Nelle Harper Lee, who once said she wanted to be Alabama’s Jane Austen. This program explores her life and unravels its mysteries, particularly why she never published again. Illuminated with family photos, revealing personal letters and an exclusive interview with her sister, Alice Finch Lee (100 years old), the film is steeped in the texture of the novel’s Deep South and the social changes it inspired. Tom Brokaw, Rosanne Cash, Anna Quindlen, Scott Turow, Oprah Winfrey and Andrew Young reflect on how “Mockingbird” shaped their lives.

On Story at 7 pm
Screenwriters Abby Kohn, Geoff LaTulippe, Dana Stevens, Marc Silverstein and Marcie Mayhorn-Moderator behind “Never Been Kissed,” “Safe Haven,” “Going the Distance” and “He’s Just Not That Into You” contemplate the important balance of relationship, conflict and originality when creating romantic comedies.

Feature film Four Weddings and a Funeral at 8 pmA reserved Englishman meets attractive American Carrie at a wedding and falls in love with her, but his inability to express his feelings seems to forestall any possibility of relationship – until they meet again and again.

Ain’t It Cool With Harry Knowlesat 10 pm
On this first of a two part special with House of Cards Creator Beau Willimon, Harry explores the cinematic world of politics.

Film School Shorts at 10:30 pmFireworks (Columbia) – Against a Fourth of July backdrop in Los Angeles, two boys with firecrackers go on a quest to impress a group of girls. Directed by Victor Hugo Duran
Pearl Was Here (Cal Arts) – A scraggly girl slips away from her mother to hide among stuffed animals in the safe and sealed environment of a claw machine. Written and directed by Kate Marks
Spark (Univ. of Texas) – Ricky is left outside while his dad visits a lady friend. Suddenly, he’s confronted by her daughter, Callie. Written and directed by Annie Silverstein.

On Story at 7:30 pm
Larry Wilmore, the Senior Black Correspondent on The Daily Show and creator of The Bernie Mac Show reflects upon different forms of comedy, his own comic influences, and always looking to maximize comedic potential. Followed by two short films about courage and endurance: Chris Bourke and Kevin Harger’s LOVE, EMILY, and Andrea Gomez’s 036.

Feature film Broadcast News at 8 pm
A reporter (Albert Brooks), a producer (Holly Hunter) and an anchorman (William Hurt) form a triangle in a TV-network news bureau.

Ain’t It Cool With Harry Knowles at 10 pm
Author Ernest Cline, Ready Player One/Armada, joins Harry to discuss problems with the Academy Awards’ system as well as the joy of loving the Oscars. Harry further explores the politics of the Academy Awards and offers a retrospective of over 80 years of cinema, including the process of judging and awarding the “best” in the business.

Film School Shorts at 10:30 pm
The Hunter and the Swan Discuss their Meeting (NYU): A Brooklyn couple have dinner with a hunter and his girlfriend, a magical swan woman whose captured robe led to their courtship. The evening goes one direction – downhill. Written and directed by Emily Carmichael.
God of Love (NYU):2011 Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short, God of Love follows Raymond, an artist who combines singing with his champion dart-throwing ability to harness the power of love. Written and directed by Luke Matheny.

Q Night at the Movies adds two new shows to the lineup this week! Go inside the biggest Hollywood films of the past year through candid conversations with today’s hottest actors on Variety Studio: Actors on Actors. Ain’t It Cool with Harry Knowles is a spinoff of host Knowles’ hugely popular website, aintitcool.com, an inventive and visual romp-through of some of the favorite films and genres.

On Story at 7 pm
Frank Darabont, writer and director of such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist, discusses adapting works by Stephen King and keeping his characters at the core of the story.

Ain’t It Cool with Harry Knowles at 9:45 pm
Revered Writer/Director Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire/127 Hours/Trainspotting and Harry discuss auteurs. The theory that some filmmakers have so much personal influence and artistic control over a movie that they become regarded as the author of the movie is also explored as Harry chats with “Boiler” about the late William Wyler’s films.

Film School Shorts at 10:15 pm
The Fighting Kind (Chapman Univ.) and Northeast Front (Univ. of Texas) : Davin, estranged from his family for years, returns home in desperate need of financial help. He learns that his sister may be the sibling who’s truly in need. Written, directed by Nils Taylor. Based on a true story, Esperanza’s love for her children knows no bounds, but her limits are pushed when she is forced to save her son from Mexico’s dangerous cartels. Written and directed by Angela Camarena Torres.

Q Night at the Movies for Jan. 31st features documentaries on Charlton Heston and Harry Dean Stanton.

Charlton Heston: A Man For All Seasons at 6:10 p.m.He has played king and slave, hero and villain, and is renowned throughout the movie-going world for the heroic figures he played during his early years in Hollywood: Moses, Ben-Hur, El Cid and Michaelangelo. In a wide range of roles, from classical to futuristic, he has shown himself a consummate actor. But Charlton Heston has always been more than a star. Although he is a private man, he has often appeared to be a very public one, willing to speak up on issues he believes in–however controversial they may be. Here, in his own words, is Heston’s life as well as highlights of a career that resulted in more than 60 motion pictures. This episode includes scenes from The Greatest Show on Earth, The Ten Commandments, The Big Country, Ben-Hur, Will Penny, Soylent Green, and Planet of the Apes.

Harry Dean Stanton – Crossing Mulholland at 7:05 p.m.A favorite of directors, critics, colleagues, and audiences, actor Harry Dean Stanton has carved his name into the cultural consciousness of cinematic arts with dozens of roles in films ranging from Cool Hand Luke and Alien to Paris, Texas and The Green Mile. The new documentary “Harry Dean Stanton: Crossing Mulholland” offers an insightful look at this versatile and talented actor through film clips and interviews with such Hollywood figures as actors Billy Bob Thornton and Richard Dreyfuss; musicians Kris Kristofferson and Michelle Phillips; critic Leonard Maltin; and directors John Carpenter and Wim Wenders. The documentary traces Stanton’s story from his birth in a small Kentucky town to his rise as a noted character actor. The program also takes time to look at Stanton’s other passion – music-and features intimate, living room jam sessions with friends Michelle Phillips and Jamie James.

On Story Deconstructing Dog Day Afternoon at 7 pm
Frank Pierson’s Academy Award® winning Dog Day Afternoon elevates the classic crime genre through its exploration of textured characters and rationale. Screenwriters Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Peter Craig (The Town) examine the story’s masterful reveal of information and its surprising, but inevitable and honest conclusion.

On Story Neo Noir: The Modern Day Film at 7:30 pm
Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential) discuss the modern day Neo Noir – a genre-bending response to the Film Noirs of the 1940s and 50s – and dissect the basic styles, impulses, themes, and tones that embrace this form of storytelling.

Feature film: Mutiny on the Bounty at 8 pm
First mate Mr. Christian (Clark Gable) and his 18th-century shipmates overthrow cruel Capt. Bligh (Charles Laughton) and set him adrift in the Pacific.

This week Q Night at the Movies features back-to-back On Story episodes and the classic film It Happened One Night!

On Story Rectify : Ray McKinnon on Characters & Culture at 7pm
Ray McKinnon, creator of the Sundance Channel’s breakout hit, Rectify, details how to capture the personality of a culture through establishing strong characters, tone, and atmosphere. The short film Spanola Pepper Sauce Company follows, directed by McKinnon and written by Graham Gordy, suggesting there’s more brewing in Spanola, AK than just its fine pepper sauce cooking.

On Story Philadelphia: A Look Back at 7:30 pm
Ron Nyswaner recounts the social impact of his screenplay Philadelphia, a bold film released during a delicate time in history. Followed by Oliver Kember’s Puzzled, about a young boy whose only chance at survival on the playground is to outsmart the other children.

Catalina: Hollywood’s Magical Island at 9:45 pm
Through the eye of film director, Greg Reitman, we get a first hand glimpse of The Magic Isle off the coast of California, Santa Catalina Island. While exploring historical, social, and environmental changes, the film captures the mystical splendors, natural beauty and romance of Catalina. Using a mix of rare 16mm, archival film and old black and white stills, inter-cut with interviews of islanders, historians and celebrities; the viewer is taken on a journey during America’s golden era.

It’s a night of comedy and news on Q Night at the Movies January 3rd with the featured film Network!

On Story The Evolution of Funny at 7:30 pm
Larry Wilmore, the Senior Black Correspondent on The Daily Show and creator of The Bernie Mac Show reflects upon different forms of comedy, his own comic influences, and always looking to maximize comedic potential. Followed by two short films about courage and endurance: Chris Bourke and Kevin Harger’s LOVE, EMILY, and Andrea Gomez’s 036.

Feature film Network at 8 pm
A TV executive (Faye Dunaway) boosts her ratings with a mad anchorman (Peter Finch) who thinks he speaks for God.

Further explore the topics brought up in Network with the documentary Running on Empty: The Brain Drain in Local TV immediately after the movie. Journalism is losing experienced reporters at a record rate. This means less in-depth and investigative reporting that help keep you informed. This documentary introduces you to some seasoned reporters who were at the top of their game. They share their frustrations and challenges as they move on with their lives.

KLRU Q is broadcast channel 18.3. It is also available to digital cable subscribers of Grande on 284 and Time Warner on 20.

This documentary profiles the life and work of Comanche political and social activist LaDonna Harris. Filmmaker Julianna Brannum and editor Sam Douglas will be in attendance to discuss the film and answer audience questions.

LADONNA HARRIS: INDIAN 101 chronicles the life of Comanche activist and national civil rights leader LaDonna Harris and the role that she has played in Native and mainstream American history since the 1960s. Harris’ activism began in Oklahoma, fighting segregation and assisting grassroots Native and women’s groups. She continued her work in Washington, DC where she helped to introduce landmark programs and legislation including tribal land return claims, improving education and healthcare for Native Americans, ending job discrimination against women, and protecting environmental resources for tribes. Using interviews, archival footage and photographs, LADONNA HARRIS: INDIAN 101 celebrates her life and the personal struggles that led her to become a voice for Native people and highlights her contemporary work to strengthen and rebuild indigenous communities and train emerging Native leaders around the world.

This week, Arts In Context Shorts takes you to the drive-in movie theater. Located on the sprawling tarmac of the old Austin airport is the Blue Starlite Drive-in. A few nights a week, up to fifty cars and a handful of walk-in moviegoers gradually fill the lot. While some people drop tailgates and inflate air mattresses in truck beds, others arrange sofa cushions in hatchbacks or unfold lawn chairs around coolers. As the sun sets behind the city skyline and the stars come out, people tune their radios into the theater’s own station attach one of many vintage speakers and settle in for the movie. In this short, we see why the Blue Starlite has become a worthy member of Austin’s unique collection of independent cinemas.